gjeldende

Gjeldende is a Norwegian adjective meaning current, in force, or applicable at the present time. It is commonly used to describe laws, regulations, rules, policies, and other official provisions, indicating their status as of now. The term is frequently found in legal, administrative, and organizational texts, but it also appears in everyday language to refer to the present situation or practice.

Etymology and form: Gjeldende derives from the verb gjelde, meaning to apply, be valid, or hold. The -ende suffix turns it into a present participle used as an adjective. The form is generally used before nouns and agrees in number and gender in standard Norwegian, though the appearance remains gjeldende in most common contexts. The term has a corresponding form in Nynorsk, gjeldande.

Usage examples: gjeldende regelverk (current regulatory framework), gjeldende forskrift (current regulation), eller gjeldende praksis (current practice). The phrase is often contrasted with tidligere or for tiden; such as "tidligere regler" (earlier rules) or "for tiden gjeldende praksis" (the practice in force at the moment). It is not the same as gyldig, which means legally valid or acceptable; gjeldende emphasizes the rules’ current applicability.

Language notes: In Norwegian, gjeldende is used across Bokmål and Nynorsk with the same meaning, though usage may vary by style guide. It is a stable term in formal texts and widely understood in public discourse.